Steve Braverman

Is it generally proper to paint between the leaves? Won't the paint just be rubbed off as the spring flexes? Has anyone powder coated springs? I'm about to tackle the same job, and I'm also stumped with how to proceed.

Just like in Detroit!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: avantey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">IS silver solder strong enough (in tensile strength) for the job?</div></div> There's one way to find out.

Non-detergent single grade oil is a good idea for any old engine. As for that transmission, what does the owner's manual say to use? If you don't have a manual, you can, and should, find one.

Bring it to the Franklin Trek in two weeks. You probably won't bring it home, and you might even have a good time and want to keep it.

I'm facing the same problem of cut cables with my Franklin. I used to work in a lawnmower shop years ago when I was in high school. We used to get this kind of cable in bulk. I think it could be welded or silver-soldered onto the original ends. Try your local equipment shop.

I used to prefer the barrel hoods also, but the Renault hoods really grow on you after a while

Thanks Paul. The car is getting the once over before driving up to Caz this weekend, and I'll be sure to make that adjustment. I never really thought about it before.

My father has a nice 1911 Model G touring that he wants to sell. See my earlier post.

Does anyone know what a complete side draft engine weighs?

Paul, I'm glad you watch this discussion board. It's nice to get informed answers so quickly. No side mounts on either of my cars. I actually prefer them that way, and with the price of tires today, I really prefer them that way! Although the left front tire will rub the drag link if I cut the wheel hard to the left. Do they all do that? I will ask around at Caz to see what different people like. Some will drive on anything round, as you know. But others are more selective. There also seems to be less of a selection available today in a 650-19. I've seen Firestone, BF Goodrich, Custom Classics, and Lesters, and that's it. I don't think I'll even entertain the Lesters or the Custom Classics, so the decision is getting easier.

Probably very, very slim. There was someone selling a complete model G chassis in Hemmings a few years ago. I assume with the drive train, but I have no idea what became of it. It must be out there somewhere. Do you have the rest of the car?

Paul, Thanks for the insight. I believe that I know the Conn. Franklin-ite that you speak of, and I remember talking with him about tires a few years ago. I'm not replacing the tires until next year. I still have a bit of tread left on the Custom Classics, although another Franklin-ite from MN has proven that '32 Club Sedans can be driven on transcontinental trips without any tread at all. My tires are still safe, at least as safe as they ever were. I'll rotate them and go until next year. I'm replacing a bunch of the wiring on my car this week in preparation for the Trek. I think that functioning lights and horns are important for a 700 mile round trip. I got the harnesses from RI wiring, and they look great. Hopefully the installation will go smoothly. I'll take an informal tire poll at the Trek, and see what kind of opinions I get. I have new Silvertowns on the Olympic. (Actually they're stacked in the corner of the garage next to the axles and springs.) They're B.F. Goodrich, not Goodyear. I haven't driven on them yet, but they sure look nice. For what it's worth, I have BF Goodrich tires on all my modern iron.

I was wondering what people's experiences were with different tire brands on their Franklins. I currently have Custom Classics on my '32, and they are just about worn out. I like the look, but I'm not sure about the performance of these tires. The tires were new when I got the car, and I was told by a couple of knowledgeable Franklin owners that the Custom Classics were not the best (or horrible depending on who you ask). Now after almost 10k miles of driving on them I think I agree. They are loud, and they seem to grab onto grooves in the road and make the car wander. I guess my question is, are any others any better? The Custom Classics do look the most authentic on a Franklin, and they are a little cheaper than others. Will a Firestone or BF Goodrich perform any better? Does anyone have any first-hand experience? Is 10k miles the limit for tires on this car? I guess for most people 10k miles will last for decades, but I've racked up this many miles in only seven years.

I'm sure it will last forever Wayne. You want it?

I have a drill press that Noah may have used to build the ark. It stands about six feet tall, and is made of cast iron. It's very heavy. It runs off of an overhead flat belt system, and has no motor. The table is round and is about the size of a man-hole cover. It also has an automatic feed system on it (for lack of a better term). My dad rescued it from the scrap heap years ago, but it is taking up valuable space in my shop, and I'll never use it. This could be a useful tool for somebody, but not for me. I'll get some photos up this weekend if I can. I have no idea what this could be worth, and I'm more interested in seeing it get a good home. Any museums out there have a vintage machine shop display? I can help to move it somewhere local, the important word being "help." I would need a few strong guys to help me get into my truck.

Weren't the repro lions made by the club more of a series 10 style lion molded into a trophy-like base? My father has a pair of those. There are also Franklin lions still available through JC Whitney, although they look about as good as you would expect for $27.99. It would be nice for your lawn tractor. http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10114/s-10101/p-100000170053/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000170053/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000170053 I do agree with Paul that there seem to be more series 11 lions around than there were ever cars built for them. Maybe Paul remembers the details of the kegs of lions that showed up at the Trek back in the 70s. (I was too young at the time.) I know that a bunch of NOS lions were found, and sold as souveniers, but I don't how many.

Asking this question is like asking who is right, the republicans or the democrats. There are going to be strong supporters for both sides. The only right way to answer to this question is to ask yourself which car do YOU like best? Any "Big Three" car is going to be easy to source parts for, and they were all great cars. They also all have different strong points. For my two cents, I love my '31 Plymouth. It is mechanically more sophisticated than Chevys or Fords of its day, it drives well, and parts are easy to get. Everyone seems to try to point out why their car is best. They're all good. If we all like the same thing, this club would be very boring.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: frazer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you checked the fan clutch? If you are having heating problems in heavy traffic this could be it. </div></div> Did they have fan clutches in 1958?

Has anyone actually had trouble with Hi-Run tires, or are you just assuming you will?

My '31 Plymouth has it stuck to the back of the rear view mirror.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ron Green</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The tires were the exact same size. In fact the radials were probably a 1/2" smaller then what came on the car from the factory. The spare is original as the car only had a little over 5K miles since built. After re-reading my post I am unsure as to how you assumed that I would be stupid enough to put the wrong size tires on this vehicle? </div></div> Ron, I never implied that you were stupid, or that you put the wrong size tires on your car. However, if the tire rubbed, whether due to being too big or due to sidewall flex, then it didn't fit. In most cases of cars prior to the mid 70s, radials are a modification. Radials and bias-ply tires are different, and they behave differently. I still think that your argument that radials aren't necessarily safe because of your experience is weak. I've also seen where different manufacturer's versions of the same size tire were actually considerable different in actual size. I replaced the Dunlops on my BMW with BF Goodrich tires of the same size, and the BFs were at least an inch wider.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shop Rat</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bkazmer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ron Green</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Of course they handle fine, but with radials they would handle better. </div></div> Not if they kill you. From my near catastrophe of installing radials on a car that made it unsafe, I learned that the radial characteristics vary from car to car, both good and bad. It wasn't the fact that the tires were radials that caused your problem, it was the fast that the tires you bought were too wide. Of course if you put tires on a car that don't fit, you are going to have problems. In my youthful ignorance I once installed a pair of radials on the rear of my Corvair while leaving bias-plys on the front. That was an interesting ride.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ron Green</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have old cars with both radial and bias tires and in my opnion if the chassis parts are in excellent condition the bias handle fine. To each there own. </div></div> Of course they handle fine, but with radials they would handle better.